Carl Petroziello
Ballplayers Wounded in Combat
| Date and Place of Birth: | December 20, 1922 Pittston, PA |
| Date and Place of Death: | August 14, 1980 Pittston, PA |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Third Base |
| Rank: | Private First-Class |
| Military Unit: | 1st Battalion, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division US Army |
| Area Served: | European Theater of Operations |
Carl C. "Hoodsie" Petroziello, the son of Alphonso and Theresa
Petroziello, was born on December 20, 1922, in Pittston, a city between
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His parents were immigrants
from Italy, and his father - a coal miner - was one of many who had come
from Europe to boost the labor force of the local mines.
Petroziello, a stocky, left-handed hitting third baseman, was a graduate
of Pittston High School and was playing semi-pro baseball in the local
area when he signed with the Batesville Pilots of the Class D Northeast
Arkansas League in 1941. In 25 games, the 18-year-old batted .279. In
1942, he joined the Moultrie Packers of the Class D Georgia-Florida
League and batted .250 in 125 games. In 1943, Petroziello found his
stride at the plate. In 104 games with the Hornell Maples of the Class D
PONY League, he batted .310 with 67 RBIs and a league-leading 11 home
runs, and was looked upon as the best third baseman in the circuit.
On September 13, 1943, Petroziello was sold to the Albany Senators of
the Class A Eastern League, but military service intervened before he
could report.
The 20-year-old began six months of army training on October 21, 1943,
before leaving for Europe, where he served as an aid man (medic) with
1st Battalion, 315th Infantry Regiment of the 79th Infantry Division.
The medic was the man who lanced and patched up blisters. He gave
aspirin for head colds and watched over the purity of his unit’s
drinking water. In combat he was the one expected to come to the rescue
of his wounded comrades. The pained cry of “Medic!” brought him on the
run. It was the rapid response of the medic and his litter bearers,
often under hazardous conditions, administering first aid, applying
tourniquets, injecting pain-killing morphine, and rushing a casualty
from the front that was responsible for saving many lives.
Private First-Class Petroziello was in combat in France, Belgium,
Holland, Germany and Czechoslovakia. He was wounded four times and was
missing in action, presumed dead, for a number of days, before rejoining
his outfit. In Czechoslovakia, in January 1945, with complete disregard
for his own safety, Petroziello performed a feat that earned him the
Bronze Star. In the heat of a battle against German forces, Petroziello
carried three wounded comrades to a building, crossed to an open space
covered by enemy fire to radio for a medical vehicle and, meeting the
truck behind the lines, took over, drove the truck alone under heavy
fire, loaded the casualties into the truck and raced them back to
safety.
In addition to a Bronze Star, Petroziello was honorably discharged from
service on December 15, 1945, with a Purple Heart with three oak leaf
clusters, and three battle stars.
The 23-year-old, who had missed two vital seasons of professional
baseball, was determined to pick-up where he left off with his career.
Joe Palla, a major league scout who lived in Scranton, heard that
Petroziello was back from the war and would be in good condition to
play. "Hope this is true," Pall remarked, "as this boy is a fine
prospect, or was before he went into the service."
In 1946, Petroziello joined 30 other ballplayers who were looking for a
job with the Albany Senators at their month-long spring training camp at
Saratoga Springs, New York. Although he hit the ball well in training,
manager Rip Collins, chose Tom Webster over Petroziello to play third
base and optioned him to the York White Roses of the Class B Inter-State
League at the start of May. He played 19 games at York at batted .317,
but decided to quit baseball.
Petroziello married Mary Estock on November 11, 1946, and he attended
the Greater Pittston GI Vocational School, where he continued to play
baseball for the Black Knights against local college and semi-pro teams.
Carl "Hoodsie" Petroziello passed away on August 14, 1980. He was 57
years old and is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Carverton,
Pennsylvania.
Date Added December 26, 2017
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